The Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate certification, earned by passing the AZ-104 exam, is one of the most respected credentials in the cloud computing industry. It validates your hands-on skills in managing Azure identities, governance, storage, compute, and virtual networks. For IT professionals looking to prove their expertise and advance their careers in Azure, this certification is a critical milestone. For those just starting, it’s a significant step up from the fundamentals; you can see a detailed comparison in our AZ-900 vs AZ-104 guide. As a key credential in the wider world of Microsoft certifications, mastering the AZ-104 is a top priority for Azure professionals.
However, preparing for the AZ-104 can be daunting. The scope is broad, and success requires not just theoretical knowledge but deep practical experience. That’s where a structured study plan becomes essential.
This guide provides three distinct study plans—an intensive 4-week accelerator, a balanced 8-week standard plan, and a paced 12-week schedule—all updated for the latest 2026 exam objectives. We’ll break down the core domains, link directly to official Microsoft resources, and provide checklists for the hands-on labs you need to master.
Quick Answer: What You Need to Know for the AZ-104 Exam
The AZ-104 exam tests five core domains in 2026: identities & governance (20–25%), storage (15–20%), compute (20–25%), virtual networking (15–20%), and monitoring/backup (10–15%). The required passing score is 700. While exam pricing is set by Microsoft and varies by region, most candidates should budget 4 to 12 weeks for preparation, with a strong emphasis on hands-on labs using Microsoft’s official learning paths and Exam Readiness videos.
Before you dive in, here are some essential official resources:
- Official Study Guide: Learn: AZ-104 study guide
- Certification Hub: Azure Administrator Associate
- Exam UI Demo: Demo the exam sandbox
- Practice Questions: Free practice assessment
- PassITExams Study Guide: AZ-104 guide
AZ-104 Exam Skills Breakdown (2026)
First, you must understand what you’re up against. The exam’s content is divided into five weighted domains. Knowing these weights helps you allocate your study time effectively. If a domain is worth 25% of your score, it deserves more attention than one worth 10%.
Source: Microsoft Learn study guide
Now, let’s find the study plan that fits your schedule and experience level.
The 4-Week Accelerator Plan (For Experienced Professionals)
This aggressive plan is designed for those who already have some Azure experience or can dedicate 2-3 hours per day plus weekends to intensive study. It moves quickly through each domain, focusing on reinforcing knowledge and filling gaps.
Week 1 — Identities & Governance (20–25%)
This is a cornerstone of Azure administration. You’ll focus on Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), role-based access control (RBAC), and Azure Policy.
- Watch: Exam Readiness: Identities & governance
- Study: Learning Path: Manage identities & governance
- Hands-On Labs:
- Create a test user group and assign a least-privilege RBAC role at the resource-group scope.
- Build and assign a Policy initiative (e.g., enforcing required tags) and check for compliance.
- Enable Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) for a pilot group and validate that it works.
Week 2 — Storage (15–20%)
Here, you’ll dive into Azure Storage accounts, data redundancy (LRS, GRS), blob storage, and Azure Files. Security is key, so focus on access control and private endpoints.
- Watch: Exam Readiness: Storage
- Study: Learning Path: Implement & manage storage
- Hands-On Labs:
- Create a GRS storage account, enable firewall/VNet rules, and add a private endpoint.
- Configure lifecycle rules to move data to cooler tiers, and enable soft delete and immutability.
- Mount an Azure Files share from both a Windows and a Linux virtual machine.
Week 3 — Compute (20–25%)
Compute is another high-weight domain. You must master virtual machines (VMs), VM Scale Sets (VMSS), App Service, and container instances.
- Watch: Exam Readiness: Compute
- Study: Learning Path: Deploy & manage compute
- Hands-On Labs:
- Deploy a VM with encrypted managed disks and configure Azure Update Management.
- Create a Virtual Machine Scale Set with autoscale rules based on CPU percentage.
- Deploy an App Service with a staging slot and perform a safe slot swap.
- Run a simple container in Azure Container Instances (ACI).
Week 4 — Networking, Monitoring & Final Review
This final week combines the last two domains and focuses heavily on practice exams to solidify your knowledge.
- Watch: Exam Readiness: Networking and Monitoring/Backup
- Study: Learning Path: Virtual networking and Monitor & back up
- Hands-On Labs:
- Build two Virtual Networks (VNets), peer them, and control traffic with User-Defined Routes (UDRs) and Network Security Groups (NSGs). Compare the use cases for Azure Load Balancer vs. Application Gateway.
- Create Azure Monitor alerts with Action Groups. Enable VM backup and test a file-level restore.
The 8-Week Standard Plan (The Balanced Approach)
This plan is ideal for most learners, allowing 60-90 minutes per day. It breaks down the larger domains into manageable weekly chunks, giving you more time to absorb complex topics.
- Week 1 – Orientation: Skim the AZ-104 study guide and set your goals. Review the optional administrator prerequisites if you’re new to the field.
- Week 2 – Identities I: Focus on Entra ID users, groups, and RBAC using the identities learning path. Your lab goal is to implement least-privilege RBAC.
- Week 3 – Identities II: Continue with governance, covering Policy initiatives, resource tags/locks, and budgets. Lab: Enable SSPR.
- Week 4 – Storage I: Cover redundancy options, encryption, and storage tiers. Go through the storage learning path. Lab: Configure lifecycle rules and soft delete.
- Week 5 – Storage II: Focus on Azure Files, File Sync, and security (SAS tokens, access keys, identity). Lab: Mount a file share from a Windows and Linux VM.
- Week 6 – Compute: Dive into VMs, availability sets, App Service, and ACI with the compute learning path. Lab: Configure a VMSS to autoscale and perform a slot swap.
- Week 7 – Networking: Master VNets, subnets, peering, NSGs, UDRs, and DNS using the networking learning path. Lab: Use Connection Monitor to troubleshoot.
- Week 8 – Monitoring, Backup & Review: Cover Azure Monitor, alerts, and Azure Backup/Site Recovery with the monitoring path. Spend the rest of the week taking mock exams and practicing in the exam sandbox.
The 12-Week Plan (For Beginners and Busy Professionals)
This paced schedule is perfect if you’re new to Azure or can only dedicate about 45-60 minutes on weekdays and a couple of hours on the weekend. It allows for deep learning and repetition.
- Weeks 1-2 – Identities: Read the study guide, watch the identities video, and complete the entire identities learning path. Use the weekend for labs on Policy initiatives and budgets.
- Weeks 3-4 – Storage: Complete the full storage path. Your weekend labs should focus on private endpoints, lifecycle management, and Azure Files.
- Weeks 5-6 – Compute: Go through the compute path. Weekend labs: VMSS autoscale, App Service slot swap, and an ACI task.
- Weeks 7-8 – Networking: Complete the virtual networks path. Weekend lab: Build a hub-and-spoke network topology and use Connection Monitor.
- Weeks 9-10 – Monitoring & Backup: Work through the monitor/backup path. Weekend labs: Trigger an alert and simulate an incident response, then test a VM restore.
- Week 11 – Weak-Area Drills: Review your practice test scores. Identify your weakest domains and re-watch the relevant Exam Readiness episodes. Redo the labs for those topics.
- Week 12 – Final Readiness: Take the official practice assessment until your scores are consistently high. Get comfortable with the interface using the exam sandbox. Once you feel confident, book the exam!
Final Prep: Mock Exams and Readiness Resources
No matter which plan you choose, your final week should be dedicated to simulating the exam experience.
- Microsoft Practice Assessment (AZ-104): This is your most valuable tool. It helps you gauge your readiness and identify weak spots.
- Exam Sandbox (UI Demo): Use this to get familiar with the exam interface, question types (like performance-based labs), and navigation. This reduces anxiety on exam day.
- Additional Practice Questions (AZ-104 Exam Dumps): To supplement your study, reviewing exam dumps can help you get familiar with the question formats and topics you might encounter.
- Certification Hub: Visit this hub to schedule your exam and find official pricing and policies.
- Official Course AZ-104T00-A: For those who prefer instructor-led training, this is the official (but optional) course.
AZ-104 Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the AZ-104 exam.
What’s the passing score for AZ-104?
The passing score is 700 on a scale of 100–1000. You can find more details in the official AZ-104 study guide.
How much does the AZ-104 exam cost?
Microsoft prices exams by country and region. In the U.S., associate-level exams typically cost around $165, but you should always confirm the final price during scheduling on the certification hub. For a deeper dive into the costs, potential salary, and job prospects tied to this certification, see our detailed breakdown of AZ-104 certification cost, salary, and jobs.
Are there labs on the AZ-104 exam?
Yes, the AZ-104 exam can include performance-based tasks that require you to perform administrative actions in a simulated Azure environment. Practicing in the Azure portal, PowerShell, and Azure CLI is crucial for success. The Exam Readiness Zone videos often discuss this format.
Do I need coding skills for AZ-104?
No formal coding is required. However, you are expected to have basic scripting skills with PowerShell or Azure CLI, as these are fundamental tools for any Azure administrator.
How do exam retakes work?
Microsoft has a specific exam retake policy that includes a waiting period between attempts and a limit on the number of attempts per year. Always review the latest policy before you book.
How do I renew my AZ-104 certification?
Your Azure Administrator Associate certification is valid for one year. You can renew it for free annually by passing an online assessment on Microsoft Learn. Learn more about certification renewal here.
Are there any prerequisites for AZ-104?
There are no formal prerequisites. However, candidates should have a solid understanding of core Azure services, including identities, compute, networking, storage, and monitoring. Microsoft offers an optional administrator prerequisites path to help build this foundation.
Is AZ-104 worth it in 2026?
Absolutely. For cloud administrators, engineers, and anyone working hands-on with Azure, the AZ-104 certification is a powerful validation of your skills. You can explore a full analysis in our article on whether the AZ-104 certification is worth it. It demonstrates to employers that you have the practical knowledge to manage and maintain a modern cloud infrastructure. When combined with real-world project experience, it can significantly boost your career prospects.
